Each game matters down the stretch, with some enormous results in the fourteenth week that may determine play-off spots by the end of the season.
A 42-year veteran quarterback landed a significant blow to the Baltimore Ravens' postseason aspirations, while Josh Allen all-but ended Joe Burrow's chances. At the same time, the Houston Texans defence presented a huge problem and may have finished the Chiefs' season earlier than ever in the Mahomes tenure.
The Breakdown: Divisional Deciders Exceed the Anticipation
Three critical division clashes lived up to the hype.
Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, competing with a injured wrist, steered his squad to a hard-fought 27-22 victory in Baltimore. The future Hall of Famer recorded his initial running score in almost three years, however it was his deep passes to his star receiver that proved to be the difference.
The Ravens' quarterback seemed out of sync as Baltimore missed key chances—although they were angry by a fourth-quarter score being nullified. These teams are scheduled to face off again on the final weekend of the regular season.
Elsewhere, the longest-running feud in the NFL saw a classic encounter. Even with touchdown bombs, an exhausted defensive unit had to stop another fourth-quarter comeback from the visiting young QB in the freezing weather.
This result gave one side a slender advantage in their division, whereas the defeated team fell from the conference's number one seed down to outside the playoff picture.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Wrong for the Chiefs?
Statistical models assign the Kansas City only a fifteen percent probability of reaching the play-offs. Realistically, this could be the initial missed post-season for franchise QB Mahomes—and the first for the organization in a ten years.
In Mahomes' seven full years as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to 7 AFC Championship contests and five championship games. That means the club has played almost each possible game during his tenure.
Therefore, the reasons for this year's failure are apparent and were summed up during Sunday's loss. Injuries ravaged an already struggling O-line, with multiple starters missing.
Even then, Mahomes provided his squad a fighting chance, but failed field goals and crucial dropped passes—such as on a key fourth-down attempt—confirmed their downfall.
Spotlight: Is the Super Bowl Be Destined for the West?
Two top contenders from the western divisions are building strong arguments for Super Bowl favorites.
One squad, leading their conference, claimed the most recent Super Bowl played at this year's venue. They are built on a stifling defence that leads the NFL in quarterback takedowns and victories through grinding, time-consuming drives.
The other team, atop the NFC, demonstrated an explosive offence capable of scoring from any situation. They feature a two-headed running attack to pair with an elite passing game.
The question could be if the high-flying offence could handle the relentless pressure of the top defense—a a must-watch playoff matchup.
Discussion: Travis Kelce Considering Retirement?
Among the fallout from the Chiefs' loss, remarks from the quarterback about his longtime tight end sparked speculation about a possible departure.
Listening to him say, "every year... I try to appreciate since you never know" definitely seemed like the QB was preparing for the 36-year-old to call it a day.
"He will have the choice to do what he chooses to do following this season," Mahomes continued. Should the season ends prematurely for the team, the 3x champion veteran could decide to retire.
Preview: Bills vs. New England Headlines the Upcoming Slate
The Bills' quarterback put on a show once more for his team in a snowy victory. He threw 3 scores and ran for another, accounting for a remarkable portion of his offense's total touchdowns this year.
Allen is the only player in NFL annals with 3,000 passing yards, twenty touchdown passes and ten running touchdowns in three straight seasons.
Now, he tries to carry the team on his shoulders once more as they try to chase down their AFC East foes, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, that's precisely who they play next.
Key Upcoming Week Games:
- Bills @ Patriots
- Lions @ Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Broncos
- Chargers @ Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kick-off runback for a 100-yard score—the longest scoring play of the year—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one offense.
- A star wide receiver caught 2 touchdowns and remains on course for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
- A feared pass rusher notched his twentieth QB sack of the campaign, closing in of the all-time record.
- An overseas kicker helped his squad in a upset victory in rainy conditions.
- A team that was held scoreless one game bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the next.
- A reeling franchise watched its franchise QB return from injury, only to exit the contest once more with a similar ailment.
